Twitter Reactions: West Indies struggle to deal with Mohammad Amir's pace and swing on Day 1

The West Indies would be happy to find themselves at 244 for the loss of 7 wickets after Day 1.

By Subhankar Bhattacharya

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Mohammad Amir vs West Indies
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Pakistan’s bowler Mohammad Amir. (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

As Pakistan took the honours in T20s and ODIs, it was time to switch to the longest format of the game. In a landmark 50th Test at Sabina Park, Pakistan won the toss and asked hosts West Indies to bat first. Three debutants would be seen in action, with Shimron Hetmyer and Vishaul Singh receiving their maiden Test caps for the West Indies and Mohammad Abbas playing his first Test for Pakistan.

It was the latter who got the breakthrough for the visitors as he dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite with his second delivery in Test cricket. Hetmyer came in next, only to see his off-stump cartwheeling after a short stay at the crease. This time it was Mohammad Amir at work.

The hosts failed to build partnerships and found themselves in a sticky position at Lunch. The West Indies had 71 on the board, but what was bothering was that they’d lost 4 wickets in that first session of play as well. Although debutants Hetmyer and Vishaul Singh weren’t successful in their first stint at the Test level, Kieran Powell looked his part on return to Test cricket.

As the players were back on the field, the Windies lost another wicket without troubling the scorers. Kieran Powell, after a good looking 33, walked back to the dugout. Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich considerably repaired the damage for the hosts. Their patient 118 run stand meant Pakistan were in search for some inspiration for the first time, which the visitors finally found in Wahab Riaz.

The paceman grabbed a skier with an outstretched hand to send Chase back to the dressing room. It was one of the best efforts we have seen on the field in recent times. The very next ball, Yasir Shah castled the other man involved in that lasting partnership, Dowrich. The West Indies scorecard read 189/7 with around 20 overs remaining.

The last hour of play saw skipper Jason Holder and Devendra Bishoo irritate Pakistan a little. The duo ensured that West Indies didn’t lose the 8th wicket in the day with an unbroken 55-run partnership. With about 10 overs still left in the day’s quota, the players left the field as bad light stopped play. The West Indies would be happy to find themselves at 244 for the loss of 7 wickets after Day 1.

Sabina Park witnessed an entertaining day of Test cricket in its 50th Test. Mohammad Amir shaped the ball both ways and scalped three Windies batsmen. Mohammad Abbas’ maiden Test wicket was another moment to cherish for the Pakistanis. However, the West Indies will take confidence from their middle order batsmen who rescued the team when half the side was back in the hut. Holder and Bishoo will return tomorrow to face another fiery Amir spell early in the morning.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the eventful Day 1 of the first Test between West Indies and Pakistan:

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West IndiesPakistanShane DowrichRoston ChaseMohammad Amir